Applicator device for suppositories and the like

ABSTRACT

An applicator for delivering pharmaceutical products or the like to a bodily cavity includes a barrel member having a distal end which is equipped with an opening. The applicator also includes a plurality of petals extending outwardly from the distal end in a generally axial direction. The petals cooperate with the opening so as to form a receptacle for releasably receiving a pharmaceutical product in the distal end of the barrel member. Each of the petals has a truncated flexible tip sized and shaped so as to engage a substantially central portion of the pharmaceutical product such that a large section of the pharmaceutical product extends outwardly beyond the petals so as to facilitate the release of the pharmaceutical product from the receptacle. The device also includes a plunger member for releasing the pharmaceutical product from the receptacle. In accordance with the present invention, the device can be packaged in a package together with the pharmaceutical product received in the receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/172,729 filed Jun. 14, 2002 and a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/366,710, filed Feb. 12, 2003. The disclosures ofU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/172,729 and 10/366,710 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicator devices for suppositoriesand the like and, more particularly, to an applicator device adapted fordepositing suppositories and the like in a bodily cavity or passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suppository applicators have been in use for delivering suppositories tobodily cavities, such as vaginal canals and recta. Conventionalapplicators are equipped with barrel members for receiving suppositoriesand plunger members for expelling same from the barrel members. Thebarrel members have loading ends which are typically equipped withfinger-like members or segments projecting therefrom for releasablyattaching suppositories to the loading ends (see, for instance, U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,754,822; 3,667,465; 3,934,584; 4,361,150; 5,201,779;5,404,870; and 5,860,946). The finger-like members are sized such that,when suppositories are loaded onto the loading ends, they are enclosedsubstantially entirely by the finger like-members.

The applicators discussed above have various disadvantages. Forinstance, suppositories, when exposed to moisture, tend to stick tosurfaces that are in contact therewith. In such circumstances, when theapplicators are exposed to relatively high humidity, suppositoriesloaded therein tend to stick to the loading ends of the applicators.Because the suppositories are enclosed substantially entirely by thefinger-like members, they have a relatively large area of contact withthe loading ends of the applicators. As a result, when the suppositoriesstick to the applicators during storage or use, it becomes difficult toexpel same from the applicators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomingsdiscussed above by providing an improved applicator device fordelivering pharmaceutical products or the like to a bodily cavity. Moreparticularly, the device includes a barrel member having a distal endwhich is equipped with an opening. The applicator also includes aplurality of petals extending outwardly from the distal end in agenerally axial direction. The petals cooperate with the opening so asto form a receptacle for releasably receiving a pharmaceutical productin the distal end of the barrel member. Each of the petals has atruncated flexible tip sized and shaped so as to engage a substantiallycentral portion of the pharmaceutical product such that a large sectionof the pharmaceutical product extends outwardly beyond the petals so asto facilitate the release of the pharmaceutical product from thereceptacle. The device also includes a plunger member for releasing thepharmaceutical product from the receptacle. In accordance with thepresent invention, the device can be packaged in a package together withthe pharmaceutical product received in the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of the present inventionconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a suppository applicatorconstructed in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1 in an assembledconfiguration ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 2 packaged in ablister packaging assembly;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the blister packaging assemblyof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 2 illustratingthe dispensing of a suppository product;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevational views of the applicator shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 5, illustrating its operation;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a suppository applicatorconstructed in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 8 in an assembledconfiguration ready for use;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 9 packaged in ablister packaging assembly;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the blister packagingassembly of FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are side elevational views of the applicator shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, illustrating its operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, there is shown a suppository applicator10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. More particularly, the applicator 10 is adapted for use indepositing an oval-shaped suppository product 12 in a bodily cavity,such as a vaginal cavity, a rectum, etc. The applicator 10 includes abarrel member 14 and a plunger member 16 extending through the barrelmember 14. The barrel member 14 and the plunger member 16 are made froma suitable material (e.g., thermoplastics, polyolefins, polyolefincopolymers, modified polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber compounds,polyurethanes, etc.) preferably by a conventional injection moldingprocess. Alternatively, one or both of the barrel member 14 and theplunger member 16 can be made by using other conventional processes.

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7, the barrel member 14 is providedwith an interior passageway 18 extending therethrough. The barrel member14, which has a unitary construction and an annular wall 20 defining thepassageway 18, is provided with a proximal section 22, a distal section24 and an intermediate section 26. The intermediate section 26 islocated between the proximal and distal sections 22, 24. The proximalsection 22 includes an open end 28, as well as a ribbed surface 30 so asto provide a gripping surface during the use of the applicator 10. Thedistal section 24 has a proximal end 32, which is connected to theintermediate section 26, and a distal end 34 opposite to the proximalend 32. The distal section 24 has a flaring construction (i.e., thediameter of the proximal end 32 is smaller than the diameter of thedistal end 34) and has an opening 36 formed therein and communicatingwith the passageway 18.

An engaging member, such as an annular ring or projection 35 (see FIGS.1, 6 and 7), is formed on the intermediate section 26 adjacent to theproximal end 32 of the distal section 24 for purposes to be discussedhereinafter. More particularly, the annular ring 35 projects radiallyinwardly from an inner surface 37 (see FIG. 1) of the wall 20 into thepassageway 18 of the barrel member 14. The annular ring 35 can be formedintegrally with the wall 20 or can be formed as a member discrete andseparate from the wall 20.

The distal section 24 of the applicator 10 is provided with threeflexible, truncated petals 38 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7) encircling theopening 36 and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel member 14 (referred tohereinafter as “the axial direction”). The petals 38 cooperate with theopening 36 and the distal section 24 so as to form a receptacle 40 forreleasably receiving the suppository product 12 therein. Each of thepetals 38 is provided with a generally semi-circular shape and has abase 42, which is integrally connected to the distal end 34 of thedistal section 24, and a tip 44, which is located opposite the base 42.Due to its truncated construction, each of the petals 38 has an axiallength sufficient to securely retain the suppository product 12 withinthe receptacle 40, but short enough to create a minimal frictionalresistance to the suppository product 12 during its dispensing from thereceptacle 40. With reference to FIG. 6, the petals 38 are sized andshaped such that, when the suppository product 12 is received in thereceptacle 40, the tips 44 of the petals 38 engage a substantiallycentral portion 46 of the suppository product 12 (e.g., the tips 44 areadapted to engage a portion of the suppository product 12 locatedslightly outwardly in the axial direction from the central portion 46 ofthe suppository product 12). By way of example, each of the petals 38can have an axial length which is substantially equal to one half of thewidth of the suppository product 12 measured along its major axis. As aresult, a substantial part of the suppository product 12 (e.g., anapproximately half of the suppository product 12) extends axially beyondthe receptacle 40 to facilitate easy unloading of the suppositoryproduct 12 from the receptacle 40.

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, each of the petals 38 is providedwith a concave interior surface 48 which corresponds generally to thecontour of the central portion 46 of the suppository product 12. Moreparticularly, each of the petals 38 curves slightly inwardly in agenerally radial direction as it extends from its base 42 to its tip 44so as to engage and retain the suppository product 12 in the receptacle40 (see FIG. 6). In this manner, even if a large part of the suppositoryproduct 12 extends beyond the tips 44 of the petals 38, the petals 38cooperate with one another so as to retain the suppository product 12 inthe receptacle 40. Additionally, the tips 44 of the petals 38 form asecond opening that maintains a larger diameter than a smallest innerdiameter along the length of the barrel member 14 or the diameter at theintermediate section 26 at the interface of the proximal section 22 andthe distal section 24 both before and after release of the suppositoryproduct 12, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

With reference to FIG. 6, the barrel member 14 is also constructed suchthat the thickness of the wall 20 at the distal section 24, and morespecifically at the tips 44 of the petals 38, is significantly smallerthan the thickness of the wall 20 at the proximal section 22. In thismanner, the petals 38 are provided with a sufficient flexibility andresiliency such that the petal tips 44 are expandable radially outwardlyand contractible radially inwardly so as to permit easy loading andunloading of the suppository product 12.

Referring back to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7, the plunger member 16 includes aribbed shaft 50 having a proximal end 52 and a distal end 54 and movablyreceived in the passageway 18 of the barrel member 14. The proximal end52 of the shaft 50 has beads 56 (see FIG. 1). A thumb platform 58 isalso formed on the proximal end 52 of the shaft 50 and has a centrallypositioned mounting tab 60. The mounting tab 60 has a female receptacleopening 62 (see FIG. 1) having beads 64 adapted to engage the beads 56of the shaft 50 such that the proximal end 52 of the shaft 50 can besnap-fitted into the receptacle opening 62 of the thumb platform 58. Inthis manner, the thumb platform 58 is securely attached to the shaft 50by an interference fit. A contact platform 66 is integrally formed withthe distal end 54 of the shaft 50. The contact platform 66 is sized andshaped so to be received movably in the receptacle 40 of the distalsection 24 of the barrel member 14 for use in discharging thesuppository product 12 from the applicator 10. In this regard, thecontact platform 66 has an oversized shape (i.e., has a diameter similaror substantially identical to the width of the suppository product 12measured along its minor axis) for purposes to be discussed hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5-7, the plunger member 16 is movablerelative to the barrel member 14 in the axial direction between aretracted position (see FIGS. 2 and 6), in which the contact platform 66is positioned adjacent the proximal end 32 of the distal section 24 ofthe barrel member 14, and an extended position (see FIGS. 5 and 7), inwhich the contact platform 66 is located axially outwardly from the tips44 of the petals 38 and hence the receptacle 40. In this regard, theouter diameter of the thumb platform 58 is greater than that of theproximal section 22 of the barrel member 14 so as to prevent the plungermember 16 from moving beyond its extended position (see FIG. 7).Similarly, the outer diameter of the contact platform 66 is larger thanthe inner diameter of the proximal end 32 of the distal section 24 suchthat the contact platform 66 engages an interior portion 68 (see FIG. 6)of the distal section 24 located adjacent to the proximal end 32,thereby inhibiting the plunger member 16 from moving beyond itsretracted position. When the plunger member 16 is positioned in itsretracted position, the contact platform 66 abuts an end of thesuppository product 12 (see FIG. 6) so as to prevent it from beingpositioned too far into the receptacle 40. More particularly, thecontact platform 66 ensures that the suppository product 12 is cradledin the receptacle 40 in a preferred holding position, in which it isengaged by the distal section 24 of the barrel member 14 only at thetips 44 of the petals 38, thereby minimizing the area of contact betweenthe suppository product 12 and the barrel member 14. In this regard, thereceptacle 40 preferably has a size which is greater than that of thesuppository product 12 such that the entire interior surface of thereceptacle 40, with the exception of the tips 44 of the petals 38, isout of contact with the suppository product 12, whereby the suppositoryproduct 12 can be released easily from the receptacle 40.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the annular ring 35, which is formedin the passageway 18 of the barrel member 14, is sized and shaped suchthat the shaft 50 movably extends through the annular ring 35. Theannular ring 35 is adapted to slidably grip the shaft 50 so as to createa frictional fit between the barrel member 14 and the plunger member 16.That is, the shaft 50 is constantly engaged by the annular ring 35throughout its movement between the extended and retracted positions andis thereby held in position by the annular ring 35. In this manner, theshaft 50 and therefore the plunger member 16 are inhibited from movingfreely and causing interference during the use of the applicator 10. Inan alternate embodiment, the annular ring 35 can be eliminated, therebypermitting free movement of the plunger member 16.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the applicator 10 is assembled by insertingthe shaft 50 into the passageway 18 through the opening 36 of the distalsection 24 such that its proximal end 52 is extended outwardly from theopen end 28 of the barrel member 14. The thumb platform 58 is thenattached to the proximal end 52 of the shaft 50. The suppository product12 is then inserted into the receptacle 40 of the applicator 10 fordelivery into a bodily cavity.

The applicator 10 can be provided to a user without the suppositoryproduct 12 pre-installed in the receptacle 40. Alternatively, theapplicator 10 can be provided to a user with the suppository product 12pre-filled in the receptacle 40. When provided in its pre-filled form,the applicator 10 can be packaged in packaging means, such as a blisterpackaging assembly 70 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). More particularly, theblister packaging assembly 70 includes a thermoformed, blister-type PVC(polyvinyl chloride) plastic tray 72 for receiving the pre-filledapplicator 10. Alternatively, the tray 72 can be made from any othersuitable materials. The tray 72 includes an outer perimeter rim 74 and acompartment 76 projecting from the rim 74. The compartment 76 includesan outer cavity section 78 for receiving the distal section 24 of thebarrel member 14, including the suppository product 12 pre-installed inthe receptacle 40. The compartment 76 is also equipped with anintermediate cavity section 80 for receiving the intermediate section 26of the barrel member 14. The intermediate cavity section 80 includes apair of side extensions 82 for receiving user's fingers during theremoval of the applicator 10 from the tray 72. An intermediate cavitysection 84 is also connected to the intermediate cavity section 80 forreceiving the proximal section 22 of the barrel member 14, while anouter cavity section 86 is connected to the intermediate cavity section84 for receiving the thumb platform 58 of the plunger member 16. Apeelable lid 88 laminated with an aluminum foil is attached to thepackaging tray 72 in a conventional manner for sealing the applicator 10in the compartment 76.

In order to use the pre-filled applicator 10 packaged in the packagingassembly 70, the applicator 10 is removed from the packaging assembly70. The distal section 24 of the applicator 10, together with thesuppository product 12 attached thereto, is then inserted into a vaginalcanal (not shown) in a conventional manner. In doing so, the barrelmember 14 is gripped by the user's fingers at The ribbed surface 30 ofthe proximal section 22. After properly placing the distal section 24and the suppository product 12 in the vaginal canal, the thumb platform58 of the plunger member 16 is pushed toward the distal section 24 ofthe barrel member 14 so as to move the barrel member 14 from itsretracted position (see FIGS. 2 and 6) to its extended position (seeFIGS. 5 and 7). In this regard, the applicator 10 can be held andoperated by the user in any conventional manner. For instance, with theproximal section 22 of the barrel member 14 held by the user's index andmiddle fingers, the thumb platform 58 of the plunger member 16 can bepushed by the user's thumb. As the plunger member 16 moves from itsretracted position to its extended position (as indicated by the arrowin FIG. 6), the contact platform 66 of the plunger member 16 pushes thesuppository product 12 out of the receptacle 40. During the release ofthe suppository product 12 from the receptacle 40, the tips 44 of thepetals 38 expand in a radially outward direction so as to facilitate therelease of the suppository product 12. In order to ensure the release ofthe suppository product 12 from the applicator 10, the thumb platform 58is pushed until the plunger member 16 is positioned in its extendedposition, in which the contact platform 66 is located axially outwardlyfrom the receptacle 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

After the release of the suppository product 12 from the applicator 10into the vaginal canal, the plunger member 16 is pulled back into itsretracted position so as to place the contact platform 66 within thereceptacle 40. In this manner, during the removal of the applicator 10from the vaginal cavity, the contact platform 66 is prevented fromcoming in contact with tissue walls of the vaginal cavity and causinginjury to same. The applicator 10 is then cleaned and disinfected forsubsequent use or is discarded.

It should be appreciated that the applicator 10 of the present inventionprovides numerous advantages over conventional applicators. Forinstance, because the petals 38 of the applicator 10 have a truncatedconstruction, they are adapted to retain the suppository product 12 inthe receptacle 40, while permitting easy release of same from thereceptacle 40. As a result, the suppository product 12 can be releasedfrom the applicator 10 in response to the application of an axial forcethat is significantly less than the force required for conventionalapplicators. In this manner, even if the suppository product 12 sticksto the interior surface of the receptacle 40 during its storage orinsertion into a bodily cavity, it can be released from the receptacle40 without significant difficulty. Because of its ability to release thesuppository product 12 stuck to the receptacle 40, the applicator 10 canbe provided to users in pre-filled and packaged form.

The oversized contact platform 66 of the plunger member 16 furtherensures the proper dispensing of the suppository product 12 from thereceptacle 40. For instance, because of its large size, the contactplatform 66 tends to apply an axial force evenly to the suppositoryproduct 12, thereby minimizing distortion of the suppository product 12during its release from the receptacle 40. Moreover, the contactplatform 66 functions to strip the suppository product 12 off theinterior surface of the receptacle 40 if there is excess friction orsticking between the suppository product 12 and the barrel member 14. Inaddition, because the suppository product 12 is mounted to the flaringdistal section 24, the remaining sections of the barrel member 14 (i.e.,the intermediate and proximal sections 26, 22) can be made relativelyslender.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 of the present invention canhave numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the applicator10 can be provided with a different number of petals 38. Moreover,although the present invention is especially suitable for use indelivering suppository products to vaginal canals or cavities, it can beused to dispense suppository products or other pharmacological productsin other body cavities such as a rectum. Further, the applicator 10 canbe modified to accommodate suppository products having differentgeometrical shapes. In addition, the petals 38 can be provided withdifferent shapes and lengths. The applicator 10 can also be packaged indifferent types of packages.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 8-13. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 8-13 which correspond to theelements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7 have beendesignated by corresponding reference numbers increased by one hundred.Unless stated otherwise, the second exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8-13is constructed, used and operated in the same basic manner as theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7.

With reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 12 and 13, there is shown a suppositoryapplicator 110 constructed in accordance with the second embodiment ofthe present invention. The applicator 110, which is adapted for use indelivering an oval-shaped suppository product 112 to a bodily cavity(e.g., a vaginal orifice), includes a barrel member 114 having an openproximal end 128 and an open distal end 134. Unlike the barrel member 14of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the entire barrel member 114 issubstantially cylindrical in shape and is slightly tapered as it extendsfrom the proximal end 128 to the distal end 134 (i.e., the diameter ofthe proximal end 128 is slightly greater than that of the distal end134). As a result, the distal end 134 of the barrel member 114 is notflared. The barrel member 114 includes an interior passageway 118extending between the proximal and distal ends 128, 134. A perimeter rimwall 190 is formed at the proximal end 128, while first restrictingmeans, such as an annular retaining rib 192 is formed in the passageway118 adjacent the proximal end 128. Flexible, truncated petals 138 arealso formed at the distal end 134 of the barrel member 114. The petals138 cooperate with one another so as to define a receptacle 140 forreceiving the Suppository product 112.

Still referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 12 and 13, the applicator 110 alsoincludes a plunger member 116 having a single-piece construction. Moreparticularly, the plunger member 116 includes a ribbed shaft 150, aproximal end 152 and a distal end 154. Second restricting means, such asa thumb platform 158, is formed at the proximal end 152 for engagementwith the rim wall 190 of the barrel member 114, while a contact platform166 is formed at the distal end 154. The contact platform 166 has adiameter smaller than the inner diameter of the retaining rib 192 of thebarrel member 114 such that it can be inserted into the passageway 118.The diameter of the contact platform 166 is also larger than an innerdiameter D (see FIG. 8) of the receptacle 140 defined by the petals 138such that, when the contact platform 166 is positioned in the receptacle140, it comes in contact with the petals 138 and causes same to flexradially outwardly (see FIG. 13), thereby facilitating the release ofthe suppository product 112 from the receptacle 140. A stopping platform194 is formed on the shaft 150 adjacent to the proximal end 152 of theshaft 150. The stopping platform 194 has a diameter slightly larger thanthe inner diameter of the retaining rib 192 of the barrel member 114 forpurposes to be discussed hereinafter. In this regard, the stoppingplatform 194 is slightly flexible such that it can be inserted into thepassageway 118 from the proximal end 128 of the barrel member 114 andpositioned between the retaining rib 192 and the distal end 134.

The plunger member 116 is movably mounted in the passageway 118 of thebarrel member 114. As a result, the plunger member 116 is movablerelative to the barrel member 114 between a retracted position (see FIG.12), in which the contact platform 166 is located remote from the petals138, and an extended position, in which the contact platform 166 is incontact with the petals 138 (see FIG. 13). In this regard, the retainingrib 192 of the barrel member 114 is engageable with the stoppingplatform 194 of the plunger member 116 so as to inhibit the plungermember 116 from moving beyond its retracted position. Similarly, the rimwall 190 of the barrel member 114 is adapted to engage the thumbplatform 158 of the plunger member 116 for the purpose of inhibiting itfrom moving beyond its extended position.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a blister packaging assembly 170 isprovided for packaging the applicator 110 pre-filled with thesuppository product 112. More particularly, the packaging assembly 170has a construction basically identical to that of the blister packagingassembly 70 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. For instance, thepackaging assembly 170 has a tray 172 for receiving the pre-filledapplicator 110 and a peelable lid 188 attached to the tray 172.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. All such variations and modifications, including thosediscussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of theinvention.

1. A device for delivering pharmaceutical products or the like to abodily cavity, comprising a barrel member having a distal end, whichincludes an opening, a plurality of petals, which extend outwardly fromsaid distal end in a generally axial direction, and a passageway, whichextends through said barrel member in a direction substantially parallelto said axial direction and which is in communication with said opening,said petals cooperating with said opening so as to form a receptacle forreleasably receiving a pharmaceutical product in said distal end of saidbarrel member, each of said petals having a truncated flexible tip sizedand shaped so as to engage a substantially central portion of thepharmaceutical product such that a large section of the pharmaceuticalproduct extends outwardly beyond said petals so as to facilitate therelease of a pharmaceutical product received in said receptacle; and aplunger member movably extending through said passageway of said barrelmember for releasing a pharmaceutical product received in saidreceptacle, said barrel member including an engaging member positionedin said passageway for engaging said plunger member. 2-10. (canceled)11. The device of claim 1, wherein said barrel member includes aproximal end, which is located opposite to said distal end, and asubstantially annular wall, said passageway extending between saiddistal and proximal ends through said wall.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein said wall has a first thickness at said tips and a secondthickness at said proximal end, said first thickness being substantiallyless than said second thickness. 13-15. (canceled)
 16. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said barrel member is tapered as it extends from saidproximal end to said distal end.
 17. The device of claim 16, whereinsaid distal and proximal ends have first and second radii, respectively,said first radius being less than said second radius.
 18. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said plunger member has a distal end and a contactplatform attached to said distal end of said plunger member for applyingan axial force to a pharmaceutical product received in said receptacle.19. (canceled)
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein said plunger memberis axially movable relative to said barrel member between a firstposition, in which said contact platform is retracted into saidreceptacle so as to permit the loading of a pharmaceutical product insaid receptacle, and a second position, in which said contact platformis positioned adjacent said tips so as to expel a pharmaceutical productfrom said receptacle.
 21. The device of claim 20, wherein when saidbarrel member is positioned in its said first position, said contactplatform is positioned in said receptacle and is in contact with apharmaceutical product received in said receptacle so as to properlyorient the pharmaceutical product such that said distal end of saidbarrel member is in contact with the pharmaceutical product only at saidtips.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The device of claim 21, wherein said contactplatform is in engagement with said petals so as to flex said petals ina radially outward direction, when said plunger member is positioned inits said second position.
 24. The device of claim 21, further comprisingfirst restricting means for restricting said plunger member from movingbeyond its said first position.
 25. The device of claim 24, furthercomprising second restricting means for restricting said plunger memberfrom moving beyond its said second position.
 26. (canceled)
 27. Thedevice of claim 25, wherein said first restricting means includes anannular rib extending radially inwardly from an annular wall of saidbarrel member into said passageway and positioned adjacent a proximalend of said barrel member, said first restricting means having a stopmember formed on said plunger member and sized and shaped so as toengage said annular rib. 28-31. (canceled)